LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)– Scammers are sending text messages tricking people into thinking they owe toll fees.

The message appears to be from a tollway collection service, telling you to pay the fee or face more fines.

Kathryn Mobley, CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Acadiana, said the messages even threaten people that they can lose their license if they don’t pay.

“It’s a national problem,” Mobley said. “I’ve seen them from all over, Texas, Louisiana. But it doesn’t really matter. I think they can even target you depending on your location.”

The phone number’s area code and the toll service mentioned don’t always match your location, though.

Mobley said scammers are sending these toll texts from out-of-country area codes and random emails. No matter where the messages come from, they always contain a link for you to pay.

“When they click on the link, then it takes them to, I’m sure, a fake website,” Mobley said. “Then they’ll get your personal information. They’ll usually ask you for your Social Security number, things like that. Don’t put in your information before checking if it’s legitimate.”

Here are ways to avoid toll fee scams:

• Verify your outstanding balance with the legitimate agency. Find the toll service’s actual website or call the toll service’s customer service line.
• Know the warning signs. If you receive an unusual text message from an out-of-country area code, it’s probably fake.
• Don’t click the links. Scammers can disguise a URL to appear legitimate when it isn’t. Look closely at the domain name.
• Block the number and delete the message. Refusing to engage and blocking the phone number can help prevent scammers from contacting you again.

Latest news